Learn about Hoboken.

The Library’s Special Collections consist of four subject collections: The Historical Collection, The Sinatra Collection, The Audio Collection and The Hoboken Free Public Library Collection.

Because of ongoing building improvements, the collections are open to the public by appointment only. There is no charge, but you should call ahead (201) 420-2346 x 5101, or email reference@hoboken.bccls.org.  If you have questions about history, genealogy or the collection, we encourage you to email our Special Collections Manager, James Cox.

The Historical Collection

The Historical Collection includes an extensive assortment of materials documenting the history of Hoboken, including books, manuscripts, maps, oral history recordings and transcripts, photographs, scrap books and vertical files.

Browse city directories, old Hoboken newspapers, scrapbooks, maps, and oral histories at our online DigiFind-It portal.

Books/Manuscripts

The library’s history collection includes more than 600 books focused on the history of Hoboken as well as original manuscripts such as council minutes from the early 1900s. The list of volumes is organized by subject and can be perused here.  We are working to digitize our unique holdings.

Census On Microfilm

• New Jersey Federal Census: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920
  • Where’s the census from 1890? Learn more from the National Archives here.
• New Jersey State Census: 1885, 1895, and 1905

City Directories (Jersey City and Hoboken)

Available on microfilm and online.

1902-1907; 1909-1911

eBooks

Afro-Americans in New Jersey by Giles R. Wright

Maps and Atlases

The Hoboken Public Library possesses a variety of historic maps and atlases, which may require staff assistance to view. The Sanborn Maps of Hoboken from 1906–1938 are available on microfilm and online.  Black and white Sanborn maps (1867-1970) for all of New Jersey are available online from ProQuest (in-library; remote).    Here is a research guide to some useful maps at Hoboken Public Library and available online from peer repositories.

Newspapers

• Corporate Reporter/Modern Times (microfilm): Oct. 9, 1986–Nov. 9, 1989
• Hoboken Advertiser (microfilm): Feb. 2, 1878–June 2, 1883
  • Browse the Hoboken Advertiser online at this link.
• Hudson County Democrat: 10/11/1856 – 3/30/1867;  Hudson County Democrat: 6/9/1883 – 4/23/1889; Observer of Hudson County: 7/1/1904 – 12/31/1910; Hudson Observer: 4/1/1911 -12/31/1919; Hudson Observer: 1/2/1920 – 1/30/1924 (all available as microfilm and) grouped together online at this link.
• Hoboken Pictorial (microfilm): Jan. 8, 1960–Dec. 31, 1970
  • Browse the Hoboken Pictorial online at this link.
• Hoboken Reporter (digital and microfilm): Sept. 21, 1983–Dec. 27, 1992; and digitized copies from 1995–2017
• Hudson Review/Hudson Current (microfilm): April 19, 1990–Jan. 6, 1993
• Jersey Journal: May 2, 1867-December 31, 1999
  • Browse the Jersey Journal Historical Archive for these dates online at this link.
• New York Times (microfilm): Jan. 1, 1988–Oct. 10, 2005

Oral History Transcripts

The Oral History Project is a collaboration between the Friends of the Hoboken Public Library and the Hoboken Historical Museum to preserve memories of a variety of Hobokenites from all walks of life, including local business owners, a former mayor, and factory workers during the twentieth century. Browse transcripts in the Library and online.

The Library received an American Rescue Grant in 2022 to document the lives of Hoboken residents impacted by Covid-19.  The 16 oral histories documented by the grant can be found here.

Photographs

The library has a collection of over 1,000 black and white historical photos. In conjunction with the New Jersey Digital Highway Project, many of the historical photographs are now online. Go to NJDigitalHighway and choose the Hoboken Historical Photographs under collections in the Advanced Search to see our photographs.

Historic photos placed in modern context on History Pin.

The Puerto Rican Experience In Hoboken and America

The Hoboken Public Library received a Connecting Communities Digital Initiative award from the Library of Congress to study the Puerto Rican diaspora in Hoboken.  You can visit the timeline and museum website we produced as a result of this award.

Scrapbooks

The scrapbooks are available on microfilm and online and document such topics as World War I, ships, and prohibition, as well as on the city of Hoboken from Nov. 1960–Dec. 1990.

Vertical Files

Newspaper clippings, flyers, pamphlets, and some photographs are collected on a variety of topics such as churches, schools, and other community organizations. The vertical files have been digitized and can be viewed here.

The Sinatra Collection

The Hoboken Public Library owns a rich collection of books, photographs, CDs (available for check out with your library card), and vinyl and vertical files on Hoboken’s own iconic singer, actor, and producer, Frank Sinatra (December 12, 1915–May 14, 1998).  The Sinatra Collection is available for use in-house.